THE HUNGER GAMES: KATNISS EVERDEEN’S EFFORT
TO GAIN AMERICAN PRAGMATISM GOALS
IN TERMS OF AMERICAN VALUES
JOURNAL ARTICLE
BY
IKA FITRI NAASA RIANDJI
NIM 0911110184
STUDY PROGRAM OF ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE
FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES
UNIVERSITAS BRAWIJAYA
2013
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THE HUNGER GAMES: KATNISS EVERDEEN’S EFFORT
TO GAIN AMERICAN PRAGMATISM GOALS
IN TERMS OF AMERICAN VALUES
IkaFitriNaasaRiandji
Abstract
As one of a popular American novel which was published recently,
The Hunger Games composed by Suzanne Collins, provides a
significant description about the manifestation of American values
portrayed by the main character, KatnissEverdeen.Katniss’ efforts
in the novel are in line with the principle of American Pragmatism,
which later on can be analyzed by its relation with the idea of
American values, the grounding idea of the framing of this great
American philosophy. By applying a sociological approach, this
study discover the existence of the two roots of American culture
known as American values and American Pragmatism, are still
preserved. Katniss successfully manifests the goals of American
Pragmatism that certainly taken from American values’ idea
through her struggle told in the novel. This result leads to the
comprehension of how American values influence American’s
mind in fulfilling their goals or achievements.
Keywords:
American
Values,
American
Manifestation of Effort, The Hunger Games.
Pragmatism,
Literary work is the place where “humans as the part of society express
their ideas, feelings, and experiences in various form” (Langland, 1984, p.4). It is
also mentioned in Plato’s theory that literary work is an imitation of truth which
had a tremendous influence upon early literary critics and theorists during the
Renaissance and 19th century, many of whom often speculated as to the role and
function of art as imitation of reality (Plato, 429-347 BCE).
The inspiration of an author to compose a literary work could come from
real phenomena or his/her imaginations. It is also possible that authors combine
the story with real and imaginative occasions to help them to make the plot of the
story more interesting. Yet, those imaginative occasions usually are taken from
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various social phenomena happen in particular society which is combined into one
completed story. Here, it can be concluded that social phenomena are the starting
point of an author to compose a literary work.
As a part of American society, American authors have their own
characteristics in composing their literary works. Several of them, tend to explore
“the uniqueness of the American character and experience” (Grolier, 2004, p.314).
Through a character, authors describe the behaviors of Americans representing
both of individual and society’s minds which also means representing the belief,
values, behavior and condition of the society in America. Basically, based on
Williams, Jr. (1970), there are fifteen basic values in America (see on Appendix
2). But, from all of those lists of American values, five of them are the main
concept of American Pragmatism goals, which are (1) Activity and Work, (2)
Efficiency and Practicality, (3) Progress, (4) Freedom and (5) Achievement and
Success.
In writing The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins, an American author, was
influenced by several basic classical and temporary inspirations such as Greek
mythology, Roman Gladiator games and also the reality show which is televised
in America nowadays as known as Survivor. She used the inspirations as her
guideline to develop the plot of the story and she combined all the aspect of those
inspirations with the real social phenomena happen in America.
The Hunger Games begins with the setting of a dystopian world of North
America which has been damaged by natural causes. One place remaining is
called Panem, with the Capitol ruling over 12 Districts under the strict
governmental system of a tyranny upper class and President Snow as the leader.
In District 12, there is a girl, KatnissEverdeen, who has volunteered herself to
take part on 74th Hunger Games to replace Prim, her only sister. She delivered
into the custody of Capitol to have a battle with the other tributes so that Capitol
can provide one champion remains.
This battle is televised throughout all Panem, so not only people in Capitol,
who are very happy to see the program, but also all people in each district can
watch the show. They can see their own families die day by day in the arena.
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Katniss, on the other hand, is very good in archery because she and Gale, her
loving friend in District 12, always hunt together in the wood near their home to
get food. Katniss’ journey in The Hunger Games brings her into a tangle of lies,
deceptions, politics, love, and violence. In the end, Katniss wins this game with
Peeta, her relative that becomes the only man that she can trust in the arena. She
brings glory and also material comfort to her District.
Because the struggle of KatnissEverdeen, the main character of The
Hunger Games, to gain American Pragmatism goals in terms of American values
is very inspiring, this problem is studied.
In connecting with the main character’s struggle to reach her goals, this
research aims to: (1) analyze the struggle of KatnissEverdeen to gain American
Pragmatism goals, and (2) explore American values manifested in The Hunger
Games through the perspectives of American Pragmatism.
The information on American Pragmatism perspectives to discover the
meaning of American values obtained in this research hopefully can enrich the
understanding about America and its values. This understanding will lead to a
comprehension of how American values influence American’s mind to reach their
achievements.
American Pragmatism and American values are the two ideologies that
cannot be separated from Americans, both as individual and as society, in their
life. American Pragmatism is a classical philosophy in America which is
constructed based on the values of America itself.Generally, American society
refers to all the people who were born, raised and/or lives in America. Therefore
they absorb the culture which then they share certain values and assumptions. In
novels, several American authors who also live among American society felt that
they are obliged to describe it into their literary work to give the visualization of
the social conditions related to the values and philosophy that Americans have. In
conclusion, in elevating American society, American authors cannot detach from
American identity which is tied firmly with its values.
The most important part of a novel is how the author attracts the reader
from the very first page of the novel. In addition, to be specific, “usually, the
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sociological novels weight the conflict between individuals and society in such a
way that the most admirable characters are most subject to destruction since their
best qualities, rather than setting them apart from society” (Langland, 1984, p.12).
The characters which are created by the author are not merely selected and given
varying degrees of importance, authors may also use them as types, spokesmen,
symbols, myths, hints, criticism or rhubarb-noises” (Boulton, 1975, p.76). In The
Hunger Games, the main character, KatnissEverdeen, plays the role as the heroine
that has to struggle to gain her dream, as well as society in the district’s dream
and has to face various problems in the process of gaining it. This becomes
attractive for the reader to know the main character’s dream as American in
individual and also as the part of society and how she struggled for that. This, of
course, has a close relation with the values and philosophy perspectives in
America.
American pragmatism is a belief that things are not true or right because
of some theoretical meaning. Pragmatists believe that Americans must have an
application and impact in the real world. According to James (1987, cited in Blau,
1952, p.252), the whole idea of pragmatism was named and framed in America.
Pragmatism comes from the word “practice” and “practical”. In Greek, this term
known as “pragma” which has mean “action”. As the pioneer of philosophy of
pragmatism in 1878s; Charles Pierce presented his idea in the article entitled
‘How to make our ideas clears’. However, William James was known as the great
champion of pragmatism because his ideas of this philosophy have a great
influence to the society throughout the world.
James insists that all knowledge is pragmatic. James’ idea about this
philosophy, with an account of the “present dilemma of philosophy”, works
between two obviously deficient alternatives: a “tender-minded” religious
idealism and a “tough-minded” scientific materialism. In one hand, “tender
minded” comprises of rationalistic (going by ‘principles’), intellectualistic,
idealistic, optimistic, religious, free-willis, monistic and dogmatical. On the other
hand, “tough-minded” covers empiricist (going by ‘facts’), sensionalistic,
materialistic, pessimistic, irreligious, fatalistic, pluralistic and skeptical (Hollinger
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and Capper, 2001, p.112). Those ideas somehow have affected American society
to behaveas it is repeated and nurtured from the American culture. Pragmatist
believes that reflective thinking is always a stage in activity, and it comes to the
problem-solving stage or inquiry. Those ideas of Pragmatism have a close relation
to the concept of several American values because of course in philosophical or
other aims; American value has a tremendous influence to its society.
American values are the belief that every American has. It isunique
because American has their own dream, the American Dream, and they have a
different way to gain the dream. According to Kohls (1984, p.1), “it is possible
that the list of those values could never be applied to most of American
society”.Yet, there are still several American values which become the set of their
behavior and construct the American society in general.
Based on Williams, Jr. (1970), there are 10 basic values in America,
which are:Equal opportunity, Individual achievement and personal success,
Material comfort, Activity and work, Practicality and efficiency, Progress,
Science, Democracy and free enterprise, Freedom, Racism and group superiority.
Additionally, his original 1970's list included five more not commonly found on
modern listings. These are: Moral Orientation, Humanitarian Motives, External
Conformity, Nationalism and Individualism. So basically there are fifteen basic
values which American has. From those lists of values, there are only five basic
American values related to the American Pragmatism perspectives consisting of:
(1) activity and work which focus on someone’s business and action. This value
absorbed from the frontier idea of work for survival and Puritan’s ethic of work
before play, (2) efficiency and practicality, this value emphasize on being an
extremely realistic, practical and efficient people. The practical consideration is
likely to be given highest priority in making any important decision in Americans
daily life, (3) progress which focuses on the finding of best through change and
progress, (4) freedom which becomes Americans’ concern about having a
confidence in the individual, seek freedom from some restraint. This also related
to the progress, individual choice and equality, and (5) achievement and success
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which emphasize on the accomplishment of personal achievement and lead to the
rewards as well as material comfort as the goal of someone’s success.
So far, there are two researchers who have conducted research about
American values. First, Hermawan did a research on the movie entitled The
Pursuit of Happyness. This thesis focuses on the struggle and the attempt of Chris
Gardner to reach his American dream. The study emphasizes on the racial
problems and the unfair competition atmosphere faced by Chris Gardner and how
he struggled for the equality, gaining the pursuit of happiness, as the achievement
and success value (Hermawan, 2007). Second, Kharisma (2005) performed
research on Toy’s Story 3 Film, which focuses on the Manifestation of American
Old West Culture in Modern American Society depicted by Woody in Toy’s Story
3 Film. Her finding shows how the spirit of American old west culture are
portrayed by Woody in the movie through his cowboy character which refers to
the history of America when cowboys were exist. This study emphasizes on the
importance of one of American history in modern American society’s life.
Methods
Considering that The Hunger Games is a trilogy novels, which will made
the research is too abroad, the first book is chosen as the material object because
The Hunger Games is portrayed the struggle of the main character who have to
struggle for herself and society in general, which became the focus of the
study.Thisnovel also highlights the behavior of American society as the practical
form to apply American values which have constructed their mindset. Therefore,
from the perspective of American Pragmatism, this study focus on the
manifestation of American values depicted by the main character in this
novel,KatnissEverdeen, which is served as the formal object. In executing these
activities, there are five steps taken, they are:(1) Reading The Hunger Games, the
novel, (2) Applying sociological approach, (3) Using American pragmatism
perspective, (4) Serving American values as the basic theory, and (5) Formulating
the findings in the discussion into a brief explanation as the conclusion.
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Findings
In concerning with the idea of activity and work value which was absorbed
from the frontier idea of work for survival and Puritan’s ethic of work before play,
this value “favored above leisure and laziness, action/doing over reflection,
controlling events and not just letting things happen” (William Jr., 1970). For
Americans, work is a calling, a sacred task, a divine duty as a powerful motive to
produce more than what is required to survive. From the perspective of American
Pragmatism, this value has an important role to the pragmatist’s belief because they
believe that someone in whatever condition, such as insecurity or doubts about the
foundations of their knowledge, cannot permit those obstacles to paralyze their
actions. They must act; they must make ethical choices (Blau, 1952, p.231). Katniss
represents the idea of this two unseparated concepts in the novel. It is mentioned that
when Katniss was eleven years old, her father died in a mine explosion, which then
made her become the breadwinner for her family. She has to hunt to look for food in
the woods. Sometimes she also trades the animal at the Hob, a black market in
Panem, to get some fresh bread. She decided to do so because her mother did nothing
for this family after one month of grieving. Katniss knows that her mother is the one
who has the responsibility to feed her and Prim, to work and to make some money to
live. But, the fact that her mother prefers to mourn all day long after her husband
passed away, Katniss cannot take the risk that her sister would die because of
starvation. Katniss’ decision implies the behavior of American who often feel
“impatient with people they see as passively accepting conditions that are less than
desirable” (Althen, 2001, p.10). The question of ‘Why don't they do something about
it?’ frequently appears when the people among of them doing some useless attempts
just like Katniss’ mother does.
For pragmatism, efficiency and practicality values is a central principle
because it emphasizes on the beliefs that in reality rules of action are important and
must be tested by their practical consequences (Horton and Edwards, 1974, p.174).
Amounts to the idea of American value which regard to the existence of “doing
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something efficiently” means thatto achieve something, people have to do it in the
quickest and shortest way (Williams, Jr., 1970). In the novel, when Katniss arrived in
Capitol, she tries to be the attention of Capitol citizen, which also means the
Gamemakers and President Snow attention, at the opening ceremony.She
understands that Hunger Games are not abeauty contest, but the best-looking tributes
always seem to pull more sponsors.Katniss tries to find out what kind of costume
that will make her appearance representative enough for the opening ceremony.
Luckily, Cinna, as Katniss’ stylist, is clever enough to decide what to wear.He has a
plan to light a synthetic fire to dramatize Katniss’ costume which mostly black with a
little red on it. Then, as Katniss and Peeta, her relative from District 12, parade on a
chariot, she finally relieves that the fire idea is not bad at all, turns out the crowd
admires their performance very much. Katniss is happy when she was called as
“Katniss, the girl who was on fire” which means she get the attention from the crowd
so that she could get some sponsors to help her when she needed something in the
arena later. She ignores the fact that she is treated like an animal to amuse Capitols.
She prefers to see it in the good side that she has the most attractive performance at
the opening ceremony. It is the shortcut to get a ticket to win the games which had
the same idea as Kohls (1984, p.6) stated that Americans occasionally asked a
question “What can I gain from this activity?”meaning to ask their practical pursuit.
As pragmatists work between the two idea of ‘idealist’ and ‘realist’, they
reply both positions is that each is a half-truth.Pragmatists underlined that “reality
exists completely neither in physical fact nor in a mental fact, but in a situation
which includes both” (Blau, 1952, p.235). In pragmatist belief, the word “reality” is
more common called as “experience” and has meaning of ‘change’, ‘coming’,
‘movement’ and ‘process’. In American mind, change is strongly linked to
development, improvement, progress, and growth (Kohls, 1984, p.2). During the
battle in the arena, Katniss made a progress of herself in terms of her skill and
appearance. The hunting skill, for example, results in the development of skills that
are useful to her in the Games, such as her proficiency with the bow and arrow. Back
in the woods, she used to use her skill only to find something to eat or to trade, while
in the arena, she improves her skill not only to hunt but also to defense herself. In
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terms of appearance, in District 12, Katniss wore nothing but a hunting
boots,trousers, and a shirt, while in the Capitol, Katniss is forced to dress as
attractively as possible to make the sponsors notice her. She is not the type of a girl
who ever wore a dress, high-heeled stiletto or make-up. So, she makes the progress
by wearing the most sensational costume in the opening ceremony of the 74 th Hunger
Games and absolutely makes her recognized by everyone. This progress remarkably
in line with James(1987, cited in Blau, 1952, p.257) idea that “it was a divine
progress when it make any difference”. Katniss’ transformation in facing the
difficulties highlighted the idea of “can-do” spirit which has been Americans
inspiration through their life. As Detesmen et al. (2005, p.181) proposed that
“Americans take pride in meeting challenges and overcoming difficult obstacles.”
Inasmuch as pragmatists make the claim that there is always “conscious act
of willing to believe that every person had the freedom to conceive of the universe
and their own destiny in one way rather than another because they chose to believe it
so” (James, 1870 cited in Horton and Edwards, 1974, p.171), Americans also seek
freedom from some restraint, having confidence in the individual. Freedom enters
into free enterprise, progress, individual choice, and equality. It has not meant the
absence of social control (Williams, Jr., 1960).Capitol has been ruling over 12
districts with a strict governmental system, or for short, Capitol is a tyranny upper
class. Unintentionally, Katniss characterization represents the concept of “to seek
freedom” in The Hunger Games. She does not deliberately propose to provoke
another rebellion against Capitol, but somehow her attitude and what she has done
before, during and after the Games begin, triggers Panem society to start another
rebellion. For example, at the end of the games, when only Katniss and Peeta survive
in the arena, suddenly the Gamemakers announce another surprising change of rule
that Capitol decided to deal with the usual games rule that only one victor remains.
Katniss is confused, does not knowing what to do and the fact that she will not kill
Peeta in such condition. Then, she remembers that she still has the poisonous berries
she found in the woods to trick the hungry enemies and asked Peeta to eat it together
with her. She knows that The Hunger Games should provide a winner because if
there is no winner “the whole thing would blow up in the Gamemakers’ faces”
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(Collins: The Hunger Games, 2008, p.337), then she decidesto make the games has
no winners. So, Peeta and Katniss take the berries, but before they swallow it, the
Gamemakers announce that they are the victors. This attitude is assumed as a
rebellion by President Snow, the leader of the Capitol. He feels threatened that
Capitol will be seen as a deadly machine who kills teenagers for nothing but their
own pleasure. Katniss knows that she is already in trouble, but it was all her idea and
decision and she cannot take it back. Katniss’ venture in order to provoke the anger
about anything wrong which is happened for a long time is reconcile the idea of
freedom in Americans life. Athlen (2001, p.6) stated that “the individual that
Americans idealize prefers an atmosphere of freedom, where neither the government
nor any other external force or agency dictates what theindividual does.” For
Americans, the idea of individual freedom has strong, positiveconnotations.
In Pragmatist belief, achievement and success value is worth as the reward of
someone’s hard work because it works between the idea of “idealistic” and
“materialistic” (James, cited in Hollinger and Capper, 2001, p.112).The idea, works
equally with American values that “in their competitive society, stress is placed on
personal achievement. This is measured by accomplishmentsand success emphasizes
rewards” (William, Jr., 1960). As the victors of 74th Hunger Games, Katniss and
Peeta get the glorious of their winning things such as a homecoming celebration
which never happened since thirty years ago, when Haymitch remained as the only
champion. Katniss testifies that her belief in her own struggle will turns out positive
in some way. Katniss’ hard work in the story emphasizes on the idea of “success is
involved with activity” as William, Jr. (1960) stated. Failure is often assigned to
character defects.
James’ idea in Pragmatism perspective is in line with the five values which
become the root of the philosophy itself. Of course, without hard work and progress,
Katniss will not get the success and achievement that become her goals. In doing so,
she also needs to show her willingness to find the efficient and practical way in
achieving the set of goals. The obstacle should not stifle Katniss because it has been
her rights and so does everybody in the Districts to have the freedom to achieve
something that they deserve.
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Conclusion and Suggestion
The position of American Values and American Philosophy, which is known
as American Pragmatism among Americans, are still preserved. They are the roots of
American culture that build the character both individual and group of people in
America. In The Hunger Games, it is obviously found from Katniss’ struggle for
gaining her goals by being the girl who fight for everything which portrays American
characters. She manifests five American values: Activity and Work, Efficiency and
Practicality, Progress, Freedom and Achievement and Success. The Hunger Games
provides a detail information about KatnissEverdeen’s personality towards the
problem she has to face in her life and how she endures those problems.
The concept of “From Zero to Hero” in The Hunger Games is the message of
Collins in composing this novel. Katniss’ progress during her life after her father
died until she wins the game, manifests American in individual character on undergo
with their life. The survival of Katniss in the games provoking the idea of freedom
portrays how one perspective of individual hatred against the state, could change the
silence which lingered around Districts society previously. Katniss as the central
ordinary girl character in The Hunger Games merges into someone important and
becomes the symbol of Americans’ minds.
The Hunger Games tells about the story from the point of view of Katniss as
the female hero character. Moreover, this novel provides a challenging information
about how science becomes the important part in Americans life from the perspective
of Capitol. Capitol citizens have a life when everything is easier to be handle with
the help of the technology in every aspect of their life. In fact, this technology also
helps the Gamemakers design the arena of the Hunger Games. It is just with a single
click and all computerized system, then everything is done or can be done. That is
why, it is recommended for the future researchers to conduct research about
American ideas in evolving the world by using science and technology. By any
chance, it will cover one value which is tremendously important for Americans who
run corporates by using a high technology system nowadays.
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In addition, there is also possibility for the next researcher to analyze the
shifting of “macho” concept of hero character and their position in literary works.
The Hunger Games gives the information of anew shape of hero in literary work. It
can be one of the data that will help to find out how and why the shifting concept of
heroes change from time to time.
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